Using binary representation of IEEE 754

Hi!

What is the way to get the binary representation of a IEEE 754 (like 0001110110001111010101100111001011100100101010111101) without using perl. Bash for example, would be fine.

I need to put that representation in a string for some operation and then to put that string back in a float.

I understand that for that last part I just need add zero to the string and it would become a float again.

Are you coming from this thread?

I assume you are referring to IEEE-754:2008 rather than the now superceded 1985 standard. The standard defines a number of formats. Which particular format do you want? Arithmetic or interchange? binary64, binary128, or what?

That thread inspired me when I stumble on it. I am thinking binary64.